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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be upset that my water for the dogs was taken.....

78 replies

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 21:13

I KNOW it is so trivial - but I do get sad quite easily these days.....

I have been leaving out water - just next to my low waall - for passing dogs. On really hot days, I put ice in it as well..... For weeks, it has been fine - and I know there is one particular dog who has come to expect it (his elderly owner sometimes has a break, sitting on the wall....).
It is just something I like to do.
I used a standard dog bowl from the start but a few days ago, "upgraded" to a pottery mixing bowl in the shape of a heart. This meant I could put more water out, and it didn't get empited by the first one to take a drink. (The bowl wasn't precious.)
A group of children who have been known to both converse with, and taunt, me have reappeared after a trip away - although I am not accusing (hmmm) - and now the bowl has been tipped over and disappeared.
I know I am being pathetic, but am really sad (although dare not be, even if I knew for sure the kids had done it). I think I just need to have a bit of a rant.

Yes, I know it's trivial - and I do have a bit of "a life" (although cannot read the thread that is titiled "Life worth living?") - but as a person who does appreciate the smaller things in life, the downside is that smaller things can be upsetting too.

OP posts:

NekoShiro · 14/08/2021 23:09

I had a large full of soil and seeds plant pot stolen from right next to my front door, can't have nice things in public :/

Jux · 14/08/2021 23:09

It is sad that someone would sink low enough to steal a bowl for water for dogs, that's so mean. I've been so pleased to see so many bowls out for dogs along our High Street, and they're all the same ones as people put out last year.

Dita73 · 14/08/2021 23:13

I do this and the same thing happened to me last year. I was annoyed by it but didn’t let it get to me. I just got a different bowl and kept doing it. Still do. Some people are just dicks. Don’t take it personally

stayathomer · 14/08/2021 23:14

I had a large full of soil and seeds plant pot stolen from right next to my front door, can't have nice things in public
My aunt had two giant pots that she got as a birthday present taken too. :(

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 23:15

Thank you! Such great support from all of you - and words of advice and encouragemnt too.. (Just what I needed to hear, I'm sorry to admit.)

I do realise that the communal drinking station (I have one for bees as well, but that is right next to my door) may not be something everyone agrees with, or would let their dog partake from, so I understand. And I have had mild concerns that it might be tampered with, but really hoped no-one would go as far as that.

The ice cubes have melted really quickly, just kept it from getting too hot. I don't think they last longer than a few minutes after I put the dish out. But I wouldn't like to think of a dog choking on them.

It is the kind of thing that, as one on here has said, would give me a warm feeling (wrongly or rightly) to see - and I thought it might be welcomed. But the naughty ids do spoil things in general (the for example, come over mysmall wall adn onto the front of my house, as they know it is wrong and - low level- annoys me); hence the gate (andother reasons) that I hadmade - which does an OK job of making it seem as though my path is a thoroughfare.

I might revert to the orginal metal bowl for now - and then, as something of an xperiment - buy a ffew dishes from local chaty shops; and see what happens. I am braced for it now; and fortified by lovely MNers xx

OP posts:

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 23:18

@Dita73

Oh you're right - I shouldn't. Sometimes, as I said, the small things can seem bigger than they should. I am a bit of a target for these children - and it will not end well.

OP posts:

adeleh · 14/08/2021 23:18

You sound lovely. I’m so sorry this happened.

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 23:20

@stayathomer

I had a large full of soil and seeds plant pot stolen from right next to my front door, can't have nice things in public My aunt had two giant pots that she got as a birthday present taken too. :(

Oh no. I have not put planters out for that reason - although the strong sun on the front would probably kill them. I'm so sorry that happened to her..... I just yesterday attached a few fairy lights to the fence alongside my big gate. Hopefully they won't get the staples out in a hurry.

OP posts:

CatherineMorland · 14/08/2021 23:31

I am always so grateful for kind dog lovers who leave water out. I’m so sorry that one person has tried to ruin it for everyone.

Dita73 · 14/08/2021 23:31

They’re children! Ignore the little sods!

Pinkpeaches · 14/08/2021 23:34

That's a lovely thing for you to do. Sorry you are having issues but hopefully you can put more out in the future! It will inspire me to do the same!!! 😊

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 23:46

@Dita73

They’re children! Ignore the little sods!

I wish..... They are drawn to my nxt door neighbour, who encourages them (long story which I have already written about; has some issues - one of which is Attachment Disorder); they therefore know my name and have decided they can speak to me in an "informal" manner (i.e. disespectfully). A couple of weeks ago, five of them were playing nearby, and a football hit me as I was getting my into car. The resulting conversation went OK I thought. Later on, they seemed to be lying in wait when I cam back (c. 10pm). They sat on the wall, trying to make loud conversation with me, which I tried to get awway from - they were blocking the path to my house. When one of the boys (aged 11-12?) said, OK Bye Lov You..... I said Ha ha Love you too.....They then between themselves said, Ooh, that's a bit pervy....... Cue much loud laughter - and said neighbour (who supposedly DOES respect me) joined in; sadly.

These same children call a man across the road (friend of mine, sort of) a paedo because he walked his dog across the same field as the mother of two of the children. Cue his house and car being covered in eggs with alrming regularity.

I try to avoid them, but got into a conversation with the girls the other day about horses - as I was dressed for riding- and one of them is having lessons. But I had really primed myself to say that I didn't want to be talking with ANY of them - the boys are far worse, but the girls swear and are deliberately obtuse - for fear of any misunderstanding; knowing that "a bit pervy" is not too far from "paedo" in their minds. And as I said, damage was done to my car by what looks like a scooter or bike, not long after the conversation/s with all of them before they went away.

I do hate it here - but no idea how to escape...... Water for the dogs - bees - hedgehogs - cats...... Trying to help it more tolerable for myself.

OP posts:

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 14/08/2021 23:48

@Pinkpeaches

That's a lovely thing for you to do. Sorry you are having issues but hopefully you can put more out in the future! It will inspire me to do the same!!! 😊

Oh, I hope you do x I shall keep trying: I feel encouraged.

OP posts:

Plumtree391 · 14/08/2021 23:49

I sympathise with you, the bowl shouldn't have disappeared like that.
Put out a small plastic bowl or an old pyrex one. The dogs appreciate it.

I hope something good happens for you over the next few day.

CorianderBee · 15/08/2021 00:16

Sounds like the older bloke and dog appreciate it. Fuck the idiots and remember the joy or relief you bring to good people. You sound very sweet and like you live near some nasty sorts.

Also feel v bad for your neighbour! False allegations?!

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 15/08/2021 00:24

@CorianderBee

Sounds like the older bloke and dog appreciate it. Fuck the idiots and remember the joy or relief you bring to good people. You sound very sweet and like you live near some nasty sorts.

Also feel v bad for your neighbour! False allegations?!

Thank you

It is all just to close for comfort. I am not doing well here - but everyone knows everyone else, or is related.

The last time the kids threw eggs at his car, one of the mothers turned up in the middle of the road screaming and ranting at him. Even though they had been seen to do it.
(I stood with him, for moral support.)

The allegations are 100% false - but mud sticks - especially here.

OP posts:

CorianderBee · 15/08/2021 00:32

@DumbestBlonde that sounds awful, poor him and poor you. I despise bullies and small town mindsets. Don't let them break down your spirit. You have a good one so remember that. Don't ever let nasty folk dim your light.

And keep leaving water out. As a small 'fuck you' to them all.

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 15/08/2021 00:42

@CorianderBee Thank you, and for making me smile xx
I might get a selection of bowls now......
(will probably need them)

OP posts:

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 15/08/2021 06:59

It's not trivial or pathetic. You did a kind thing and some nasty little twat ruined it. Don't be bullied either. Speak to the little shits parents. We are semi rural it's common place to see people leave water out on their verges/gardens .

It's a lovely thing to do for wildlife as well as passing dogs. I loathe thieves and bullies and it doesn't matter if it's a plastic tub or a nice bowl, they have no right to touch it. When people minimize stuff like this it excuses it.

Sorry @DumbestBlonde

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 15/08/2021 07:05

@Dita73 Op shouldn't have to put up with them!

PluggingAway · 15/08/2021 07:10

YANBU at all.

People who do things like that are snidey, miserable arseholes. They make their community a slightly worse place to be. It's normal to feel a bit sad when these things happen.

godmum56 · 15/08/2021 07:55

@MrsCopperfield

Just to say dogs can choke on ice cubes. But it's nice of you to put the water out.

dogs are no more likely to choke on ice than they are likely to choke on any other solid object.....less likely in fact as ice melts.

CarrieMoonbeams · 15/08/2021 08:15

That's so sad OP, I have to say that would really upset me too. Like you, I put water out for the village dogs (and sugary water for the bees).

Please come and live in my village! I actually thought about putting up a photo last week but it's too outing because it's got all of my dogs' names on it - we got a packet of dog treats left on the doorstep with a note written in big wobbly writing (yes, the dogs round here can write!!). It said " deer X, X, X, X, X and X. Fankoo for da wottur. Luv fom da villij doggeez"!

Daft, I know, but it makes me laugh every time I see it - the biscuits have long gone, but I'm keeping the note!

Bless you OP, please don't let people spoil your kind heart.

Dita73 · 15/08/2021 09:17

@Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel I never said she should have to put up with them. I said to ignore them. They’ll get bored if they don’t get a reaction

Original poster

DumbestBlonde · 15/08/2021 09:18

@CarrieMoonbeams So lovely! Of course, the dogs have to write it in simple language for we humans 😉
I am a little choked by such kind messages I really do wish I COULD live somewhere else; your village sounds so nice.
Looking at my gate, I can probably attach a little bike lock to a plastic bowl with handles, that I will not have to undo to go through the gate. I will go to buy them today, I have seen just the thing in a local shop.
The first time I put the pottery bowl out, I actually fished out a fly that was having a swim, and put it on the wall to dry out.... Ah yes, sugar in the bee drinking station.... I do put some chunky pebbles in, but forgot the sugar... Although have done that for a tired looking bee when I see them struggling 💕

OP posts:

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